Department for Business and Trade

Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to ensure that gig economy workers (1) rights, and (2) job security, are protected during technological advancement in that sector.

The Earl of Minto: The Government is clear that everyone deserves to be treated fairly at work and rewarded for their contribution to the economy.The gig economy offers individuals flexibility and can provide opportunities for those unable to work in more conventional ways. Those who qualify as workers under existing employment law, including those who work in the gig economy, are entitled to core employment rights. Last year, the Government published guidance to give individuals and businesses a better understanding of which employment status is relevant to them, and the rights that go with it.

Royal Mail: Delivery Services

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of available compensation measures for Royal Mail customers who have experienced problems receiving deliveries; and what plans they have to publicise those compensation measures to members of the public.

The Earl of Minto: Royal Mail is a private business. The Government does not have a role in the commercial or operational decisions of Royal Mail.As the Universal Service Provider, Ofcom requires Royal Mail to provide fair and reasonable remedies and redress in respect of delays to deliveries under its universal service obligation.Under Section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000, Royal Mail is required to publish its terms and conditions, including compensation policies, for certain products and services on its website.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Private Rented Housing: Pets

Lord Truscott: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 20 July (HL9154), whether inserted sections 16B and 16C of clause 7 of the Renters (Reform) Bill will override leases in blocks of flats which explicitly prohibit pets which may cause a nuisance.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Further to the answer given in response to question HL9154 on 20 July, sections 16B and 16C of the Renters (Reform) Bill will not override lease agreements that prohibit pets.

Housing: Older People

Lord Turnberg: To ask His Majesty's Government whatprogress they have made on the launch of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Older People’s Housing Taskforce launched on 16th May. The independent Taskforce, led by Professor Julienne Meyer, is looking at how the country can provide greater choice of housing for older people, and will report to Government within around 12 months. The panel of 19 Taskforce members was announced at the inaugural meeting, with a spread of expertise across the retirement housing sector including providers, academia, social care, local authority leaders and property investment.Since the launch, the Taskforce has been meeting on a regular basis to progress its work. On 24th July, the Taskforce launched a Call for Evidence, which is open until 18th September for representations from the sector.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Private Rented Housing: Energy Performance Certificates

Lord Truscott: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review theimpact of the proposed new EPC standards on rental levels in the private rented sector.

Lord Callanan: Alongside the consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes the Government published an impact assessment, which includes an assessment of the potential impact on rental payments. We are continuing to refine the policy design to ensure the costs, circumstances, and potential impacts relating to energy efficiency improvements are fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. We will publish a summary of responses by the end of this year and will publish an updated impact assessment once the final policy decisions are made.

Northern Ireland Office

Relationships and Sex Education: Northern Ireland

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with theNorthern Ireland Department of Education concerning its guidance on relationships and sexual education, particularly in relation to whether that guidance will permit parents to withdraw their children in a similar manner to that in England.

Lord Caine: The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 place a duty on the Department of Education to introduce regulations to ensure that a pupil may be withdrawn from education on sexual and reproductive health and rights or elements of that education, at the request of a parent. This follows the approach taken in England and Scotland. Officials will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Department of Education to ensure this duty is successfully discharged. The Department of Education has confirmed it will consult on both the guidance and the provisions for the circumstances in which a pupil may be excused from the education or specified elements of that education.

Relationships and Sex Education: Northern Ireland

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the lack of public consultation on the Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, given that public consultation was conducted in England prior to equivalent regulations being implemented.

Lord Caine: In line with the Government's statutory obligations under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and in consultation with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the Government completed an equality screening, the outcome of which did not indicate a need to consult publicly on the policy. The Department of Education has confirmed it will consult on both the guidance and the provisions for the circumstances in which a pupil may be excused from the education or specified elements of that education. Consultation with parents on Relationships and Sex Education is already common practice in Northern Ireland. The Department of Education requires each school to have in place its own written policy on how it will address the delivery of Relationships and Sex Education. A school’s Relationships and Sex Education policy should be subject to consultation with parents and endorsed by a school’s Board of Governors.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Venezuela: Elections

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the current political situation in Venezuela, following the Venezuelangovernment’s recent announcement that opposition leader María Corina Machado is banned from holding public office for 15 years, and (2) the prospects for free and fair presidential elections in Venezuela in 2024.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Venezuelan regime's recent decision to disqualify opposition leader, María Corina Machado, from holding public office for 15 years is an attack on basic democratic rights. It is vital for opposition leaders to be able to stand for election and for opposition parties to be able to organise primaries without improper interference by the state. We have registered our thoughts about the disqualification of Maria Corina Machado and Minister Rutley issued a tweet on 2 July publicly condemning the decision. We continue to encourage all parties concerned to do everything necessary to bring about a return to democracy in Venezuela and to hold free, fair presidential elections in 2024, in accordance with international democratic standards.

Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to update the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 on a quarterly basis, given the evolving policy and geopolitical circumstances.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are no plans for a fixed schedule of updates for the Integrated Review Refresh 2023. However, the Government will regularly review the overall strategy to ensure it is keeping pace with the evolving international environment.

Turkey: Armed Forces

Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to have discussions with NATO concerning a potential investigation into the military activities of Turkey, particularly regarding activities in (1) northern Syria, and (2) north-west Iraq; and what discussions they plan to have with the (a) Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and (b) the Council of Europe, about compliance with international norms for military action and any violation of existing agreements on water-flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in Syria and Iraq. We engage regularly with Turkey, a NATO ally, on regional security issues and encourage restraint from any activity that leads to further regional instability. The UK is monitoring water supply issues in north east Syria; we have raised the humanitarian issue of water availability bilaterally with all parties in the region, including Turkey. We do not have plans for formal discussions on this issue at NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) or the Council of Europe (CoE).

Israel: Palestinians

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the proportionality of the Israeli forces air strikes and ground operations in Jenin on 3 and 4 July; and what steps they have taken to urge an immediate de-escalation on both sides in the current cycle of violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In his discussion with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 5 July, the Foreign Secretary urged the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to act with discipline and restraint and he urged the Government of Israel to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians. He also expressed concern about reports of an attack on civilian infrastructure and said that these should be publicly investigated. The Foreign Secretary also discussed the importance of de-escalating recent violence in the West Bank in his call with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh later that same day. Israeli armed forces' conduct must always be in line with international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and necessity.

Sudan: Armed Conflict

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent progress there has been in mediation efforts between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Army in order to avoid a protracted conflict; and whether the UK is involved in those efforts.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is working with a range of partners, including counterparts from Quad (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, US), African and European countries, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU) and the UN, to get the parties to the conflict back to the negotiating table and end hostilities in Sudan. The UK was an observer at the first meeting of the IGAD Quartet on 11 July, where states pledged to redouble efforts to bring the leaders of the warring parties together, and also attended the opening ceremony of Egypt's 'Sudan's Neighbouring Countries' Summit' on 13 July. It is important that regional initiatives to end the conflict are fully coordinated in order to avoid a proliferation of forums. We welcome these mediation efforts and will continue working with our partners to support the development of an inclusive, civilian-led vision for the future of Sudan.

Uruguay: Water

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the water shortages in Uruguay; and what support they are providing to that country, together with international partners.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are closely monitoring the drought in Uruguay, and have updated our Travel Advice. Rainfall since 8 July has increased water reserves, but dams are still only approximately 7 percent full. The Government of Uruguay has taken emergency measures, including suspending VAT on bottled water and providing free bottled water to vulnerable people, and recognises that longer term work is needed. The British Embassy in Montevideo is in close contact with Uruguay's National Sanitation Company, OSE, and is exploring opportunities for UK commercial expertise to support Uruguay to build the modern infrastructure, technical capacities and strategic resilience needed in the longer-term.

UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of goods entering Northern Ireland that will need to use the Red Lane rather than the Green Lane under the Windsor Framework.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has not made a precise estimate of the percentage of goods using the green lane, as this will depend upon choices made by operators (including the proportion that send their goods directly onto the EU after moving them into Northern Ireland). However the Windsor Framework significantly expands the range of businesses who can benefit from the Green Lane, both for movements of goods generally and for agrifood retail trade. Our new UK Internal Market Scheme will be available to traders based anywhere in the UK. We are also increasing the threshold for processing companies - quadrupling the current £500,000 limit up to £2 million, and increasing the sectoral exemptions that can be relied upon, meaning four-fifths of manufacturing and processing companies in Northern Ireland who trade with Great Britain will automatically be in scope. Our new Retail Movements Scheme will also be available to a much broader range of businesses, including wholesalers and food service companies. For traders who do not use the Green Lane, we will continue to ensure there is as effective as possible a system in place - enhanced through developments such as the comprehensive tariff reimbursement scheme that has been available since the end of June.

Department for Transport

Charging Points: Motorway Service Areas

Lord Birt: To ask His Majesty's Government why there is a delay in connecting already installed electric vehicle chargepoints in motorway service areas to an appropriate power supply.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Around 97% of motorway service areas in England have charging available today. The Government has been working with distribution network operators and industry to ensure that once chargepoints are installed they are energised as soon as possible for the public to use. This includes supporting Ofgem’s Green Recovery Scheme, which will reinforce the electricity network at around 50 motorway service areas in England. The Government is also working with National Highways to provide battery storage at selected sites where the current electricity network capacity is limited, which will enable increased chargepoint provision. At fixed strategic locations, such as motorway service areas, the cost of connecting to the electricity network can be high and variable. Therefore, where is it uncommercially viable for industry, the Rapid Charging Fund will part-fund future-proof electrical capacity to prepare the network for a fully electric car and van fleet.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the practicality of supplying electric vehicle charging facilities for motorists in areas of dense terraced and high-rise living accommodation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government is committed to ensuring that the right chargepoints are installed in the right places and has several schemes supporting charging infrastructure. The £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will support local authorities to work with industry to provide tens of thousands of local chargepoints and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. Local authorities will also continue to benefit from the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme for smaller scale projects. So far funding has been awarded for the installation of over 18,000 chargepoints. The Government also provides grants to support the provision of chargepoints in private residential carparks such as those serving high-rise living accommodation. The grants provide up to £30,000 per apartment block towards the cost of installing EV chargepoints. Grants are also available for people living in flats or rental accommodation with an off-street parking place, providing up to £350 towards the purchase and installation of a chargepoint.

Department for Education

Teachers: Pay

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Schools on 30 June (190680) stating that schools will be expected to manage the upcoming teacher pay award from within existing funding, how many schoolsthey estimatehave surpluses which would enable them to do so without affecting current spending commitments.

Baroness Barran: The government has accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) recommendations for 2023/24 teacher pay awards in full. This means that teachers and headteachers in maintained schools will receive an award of 6.5%, the highest STRB award in three decades. The department will be providing an additional £525 million to schools this year, to support schools with the teachers’ pay award, and £900 million in financial year 2024/25, and as the unions have agreed, this means that the award is properly funded.This is on top of funding totals previously announced, meaning that school funding is rising by over £3.9 billion in the 2023/24 financial year alone, on top of a £4 billion cash increase last year. Combined, that represents a 16% increase in just two years. Next year, school funding will be over £59.6 billion, the highest ever level in real terms per pupil.This additional funding will enable headteachers to continue to invest in the areas that positively impact educational attainment, including high quality teaching and targeted support to the children who need it most, as well as help schools to manage higher costs, including teacher pay awards.Each year the department publishes an assessment of schools’ costs and funding, which informs what pay award we judge to be affordable for schools from within this existing funding. In March 2023, the department set out a calculation that schools, on average, could afford a pay award of 4% from within existing funding.The department decided to fund the 2023 pay award from a lower affordability figure than that calculation, funding the costs of the pay award above 3.5%, on average, rather than above our 4% national affordability calculation. This is a more generous funding offer than in March.

Alternative Education and Pupil Exclusions

Lord Boateng: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of ethnic monitoring of pupils in the compilation of data in relation to (1) school exclusions, and (2) the provision of alternatives to classroom schooling.

Baroness Barran: The Government publishes school exclusions data by pupil characteristic in the ‘Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England’ publication. The data is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england. Since November 2022, this data has been published two terms in arrears rather than as an annual release. This fulfils the Department’s commitment to the 2021 report ‘Strengthening Home Education’, where the Education Select Committee suggested that only having an annual statistical release on exclusions may prevent the Department from identifying illegal exclusion practices.The Department also publishes the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ publication for placements in non-school based alternative provision arranged by local authorities (Alternative Provision census), and placements in non-school based alternative provision arranged by schools (from 2023 only, School census). These tables are available in the attached files.The Department also publishes the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ publication, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics. The 2 attached tables provide information on:Placements in non-school based alternative provision arranged by local authorities (Alternative Provision Census).Placements in non-school based alternative provision arranged by schools (from 2023 only, School Census).AP arranged by LAs (xlsx, 26.2KB)AP arranged by schools (xlsx, 25.5KB)

Attorney General

Domestic Abuse: Transgender People

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had with the Crown Prosecution Service prior to the domestic abuse guidance, published on 5 December 2022, which states that a spouse who withholds money from their partner for gender transitioning may be committing domestic abuse.

Lord Stewart of Dirleton: As part of their independent functions the CPS periodically issue guidance to aid their prosecutors. The publication of the domestic abuse guidance came following a CPS run public consultation that was widely publicised through Government departments, Police and Crime Commissioners, Domestic Abuse and Victims’ Commissioners, and the public. A full consultation response can be found on the CPS website. As a courtesy, the CPS forwarded a copy of the guidance to the Attorney General’s Office at the time of publication in December 2022. No substantive discussions were held.

Ministry of Defence

India: War Graves

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to Commonwealth Graves in Manipur in India as a result of the current violence there; and what steps, if any, they are taking to protect them.

Baroness Goldie: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission are responsible for those sites overseas where World War casualties are interred and commemorated. The Commission are well apprised of both the security and general situation in the countries where they operate around the world, including India, and in monitoring the position the Commission maintain regular contact with the relevant in-country UK Embassy staffs.